After watching Starlet, older film of director Sean Baker's released in 2012 and enjoying more than expected. Seeing and remembering praise of this film Red Rocket upon its release but being too overly anticipated.
This film exceeded expectations entirely. The premise sounds like something which has been done before but the execution, writing and overall acting from the cast (mainly lead Simon Rex in a career defining turn and newcomer Suzanna Son) is what truly propels this film into being better than it really should have been. Their chemistry is great.
It is quite a lengthy film of over two hours but there is constant motion and something intriguing occurring each step of the way. Some may find the theme of the adult business and the overall grooming type behaviour of lead Mikey's doing to be distasteful but it's highly entertaining.
His character isn't meant to be a saint and initially comes off as somewhat unlikeable but as the film progresses we get a better understanding for his ways and there is a growing sense of sympathy. The scenes with him and the employee at the donut shop Strawberry are the highlights. From the initial scene we get a sense that he would end up getting her.
There are definitely different ways in which this film could have went which makes it unpredictable and thrilling. The ending regarding Mikey being ambushed by everyone kicking him out was somewhat bizarre and quite comedic.
Then the very ending where he goes to Strawberry's house as he sees her in a red bikini felt very much like a dream like sequence. It seemingly felt like a sequel set up but we doubt any sequel will happen. It's been nearing on 3 year. Perhaps its best to keep this as a standalone film and let people have their interpretations. Overall Red Rocket is an underrated overlooked gem.
This film exceeded expectations entirely. The premise sounds like something which has been done before but the execution, writing and overall acting from the cast (mainly lead Simon Rex in a career defining turn and newcomer Suzanna Son) is what truly propels this film into being better than it really should have been. Their chemistry is great.
It is quite a lengthy film of over two hours but there is constant motion and something intriguing occurring each step of the way. Some may find the theme of the adult business and the overall grooming type behaviour of lead Mikey's doing to be distasteful but it's highly entertaining.
His character isn't meant to be a saint and initially comes off as somewhat unlikeable but as the film progresses we get a better understanding for his ways and there is a growing sense of sympathy. The scenes with him and the employee at the donut shop Strawberry are the highlights. From the initial scene we get a sense that he would end up getting her.
There are definitely different ways in which this film could have went which makes it unpredictable and thrilling. The ending regarding Mikey being ambushed by everyone kicking him out was somewhat bizarre and quite comedic.
Then the very ending where he goes to Strawberry's house as he sees her in a red bikini felt very much like a dream like sequence. It seemingly felt like a sequel set up but we doubt any sequel will happen. It's been nearing on 3 year. Perhaps its best to keep this as a standalone film and let people have their interpretations. Overall Red Rocket is an underrated overlooked gem.